Hello namaste

[jnana shiva]

Hello, I am new. I love everything I have read so far. It is unique to find truth discussed in a way that preserves it, rather than uses it, so to speak.

A little about me. I was raised Mormon. I have been a seeker all my life. I converted to Sanatana Dharma in 1999, when I received shaktipat from Swami Chidvilasananda. I was so privileged to have lived at Shree Muktananda ashram for three years. When it was time to leave, I asked my guru to remove illusion (what was I thinking? )

Since then my sadana has been INTENSE purification through intense karmas, i.e. the circumstances of my life have been very trying and EXTREME. But at last I am in a new place. Mostly one of "recognition," which is bliss.

It seems perhaps I have finally reached a point where I notice every time my ego tries to take credit for "attainment" (whenever possible, lol). Thus, I don't hand my merit and progress right to my ego. With moments where my ego falls away, I am beginning to realize there are many many seekers who have attainment, and almost all of them have a great deal more than my own dedicated but modest beginning.

I am looking forward to participating in HDF, thank you for taking a moment to learn about me. I appreciate it very much!

jnana shiva

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: Welcome to HDF.

Aum Namasivaya

[jnana shiva]

Thank you very much for your welcome

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste Jnana Shiva,

Welcome to HDF. Interesting background, being raised Mormon.

I look forward to your posts.

Jai Sri Ram

[Viraja]

I converted to Sanatana Dharma in 1999, when I received shaktipat from Swami Chidvilasananda. I was so privileged to have lived at Shree Muktananda ashram for three years. When it was time to leave, I asked my guru to remove illusion (what was I thinking? )

Since then my sadana has been INTENSE purification through intense karmas, i.e. the circumstances of my life have been very trying and EXTREME. But at last I am in a new place. Mostly one of "recognition," which is bliss.

Jnana Shiva ji, with your level of interest and involvement in spirituality, how do you find yourself living in a place as Las Vegas? Are there any temples at all in Vegas?

[Sachin95]

Jnana Shiva ji, with your level of interest and involvement in spirituality, how do you find yourself living in a place as Las Vegas? Are there any temples at all in Vegas?

Namaste, from a quick google search I found one. Looks very nice. http://www.hindutemplelv.org/

[jnana shiva]

Namaste Jnana Shiva,

Welcome to HDF. Interesting background, being raised Mormon.

I look forward to your posts.

Hello Ramakrishna:

Thank you for your welcome.

Yes, Mormonism is a fascinating religion. My family doesn't know (I think?) about my current religion. I am not close to them, so I have no need to share my religion with them, and have chosen to hide it from them, as they will be very concerned.

Mormonism, like many protestant religions, has elements which are a reaction to Catholicism. They have no "idols," not even crosses (highly unlikely you would ever see a cross in a Mormon home). They often kneel to pray at home, but there is no pranaming or bowing to anything in church or elsewhere. While there are some specific set prayers for baptism, etc., all prayer is spontaneous. They are against set and repetitive prayers. There is very little physical demonstration of spiritual bliss.

Like any religion, Mormons range from no participation to high participation with advanced spirituality, I would argue Siddhahood. Mormonism is a religion with a lot of encouragement to develop spiritually, and to a very high degree. Mormons are very aware of Kali Yuga, which they call "the last days." They have a lot of compassion for how hard it is to be human at this time, with divorce, drug abuse, materialism etc.

Mormon cosmology and theology perhaps can aspire to the grand sweep of time and space of Sanatana Dharma, though Mormons don't focus on it or talk about it very much, as it sounds so "out there."

Mormons believe that there is a Heavenly Mother, though they do not mention or worship her (she is protected). Once upon a time Heavenly Father and Mother were created and mortal like us and lived on a world such as our own. They were married in the temple (an eternal marriage), and lived a perfected life. When they died they became a God and Goddess and started their own world(s), populating it with their own spirit children (us). Now we have the same opportunity.

Well, that's a big post. I'd better stop there.

Thanks again for your welcome.

~jnana shiva

[jnana shiva]

Jnana Shiva ji, with your level of interest and involvement in spirituality, how do you find yourself living in a place as Las Vegas? Are there any temples at all in Vegas?

Namaste, from a quick google search I found one. Looks very nice. http://www.hindutemplelv.org/

Thank you for your welcomes and interest Viraja and Sachin. I also found the website for the Las Vegas Hindu and Jain temple. I don't find updates since fall of last year on the site. I signed up for their newsletter to see if they are still viable.

The city of Las Vegas is very different from the casinos and tourist parts. It is an average American city. I love the high desert weather.

I grew up in Salt Lake City Utah and the Western USA is my home. I lived at the Siddha Yoga ashram in New York State after my shaktipat, a wonderful experience, but after three years my heart told me it was time to leave, that the ashram was not my home. I prayed for where to live, and the answer was Las Vegas.

Most major cities have Siddha Yoga Meditation Groups, but Las Vegas does not. I have trusted from the answer to my prayer that I only require my guru's grace, and do not require a sangham to connect with to grow spiritually. I tend to be a "loner", a lifestyle that has become ecstatic as I make Paramashiva the focus and reality of the moment.

That said, I am enjoying these forums as a place where I can talk about what is most important, such as my beloved guru and my beloved Paramashiva.

~jnana

[jnana shiva]

I'm just getting used to posting on a forum. I think I posted a reply. If not, I'll try again in a couple of days. Thanks for your welcomes!